Adventure Countdown
By Sarah West
Sarah is an O . A . T . staff writer who has left shoe prints on more than 30 countries .
No Cars Allowed
Stroll through the history and highlights of famous pedestrian-only zones
Often , the best way to discover the ins and outs of a new destination is on foot . Fortunately , cities around the world have made bipedal exploration safe and easy by eliminating cars from popular streets and neighborhoods — including the eight below .
Cat Street in Tokyo , Japan
Strøget in Copenhagen , Denmark
Spanning more than half a mile , Strøget is one of the longest pedestrian-only zones in Europe . Its luxury stores , restaurants , and architectural icons — including the Copenhagen Cathedral and City Hall — attract around 80,000 visitors daily . But the area hasn ’ t always been so pedestrian friendly : When Strøget officially closed to automobile traffic in 1964 , police officers were called in to keep disgruntled shop owners and drivers from rioting — and to protect city planners from assassination attempts .
Unlike some of Tokyo ’ s other famously fashionable destinations — like Shibuya and Harajuku — which tend to be jam-packed and zany , Cat Street celebrates the city ’ s understated trendsetters . Shops along this tree-lined avenue include upscale boutiques and vintage re-sellers , and restaurants cater to hipster and artisanal tastes . Unfortunately for cat lovers , Cat Street isn ’ t named for its “ paw-destrian ” clientele , but rather for the cool cats who frequent its hole-in-the-wall establishments .
Plaka in Athens , Greece
Nestled in the shadow of the Acropolis , Plaka is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood in Athens . Its maze-like streets are lined with shops selling everything from jewelry to handpainted religious icons . Centuries-old churches are tucked into its hidden squares . Locals and visitors alike linger at its outdoor tavernas , surrounded by cascades of bougainvillea and basking in the dappled sunshine that dances through this so-called “ Neighborhood of the Gods .”
28 DISPATCHES • AUGUST 2022